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    November 28, 2011

Egyptians Wary of the Future as Historic Elections Begin

   Elizabeth Arrott/Japhet Weeks | Cairo
   An Egyptian woman prepares to cast her ballot in the country's
   parliamentary election at a polling station in the Zamalek neighborhood
   of Cairo, Egypt, November 28, 2011.
   Photo: AP
   An Egyptian woman prepares to cast her ballot in the country's
   parliamentary election at a polling station in the Zamalek neighborhood
   of Cairo, Egypt, November 28, 2011.

   Egypt is entering the next stage of its political transition with
   parliamentary elections, a process that started Monday and is expected
   to continue for three months. But, after a tumultuous year and now more
   than a week of violent demonstrations, many Egyptians are anxious about
   their country's future.
   It is the moment Egypt's protesters have fought for - an election in
   which the results might be a surprise. But with the violence-wracked
   run-up to the vote, it has not been easy getting to this point.
   University student Habiba el Husseiny is not hopeful. "I honestly don't
   want to be a pessimist. I want a better future for us. Now I don't
   think it's the right time for them to take place, but they have to take
   place," he said.
   It is a dilemma discussed in Husseiny's political science class at The
   American University in Cairo.
   Political Sociologist Said Sadek asks students about their involvement
   in the protests. "How many of you have been to Tahrir? Two? Only two?"
   Sadek said.
   Habiba Husseiny says she plans to visit Tahrir Square to oppose the
   government crackdown on demonstrators, not to support the protesters'
   anti-military cause.
   "We're in very unstable times, and the economy is a disaster. So this
   is not what they should be focusing on now. They [protesters] should be
   focusing on our economy, our tourism, everything else except that,"
   Husseiny stated.
   Said Sadek says the military gives some Egyptians a sense of stability
   after the tumultuous events of the Arab Spring.

   "The military is basically middle class, urban middle class, and they
   have many economic interests," he noted.
   But the civil-military conflict in Tahrir Square is not the only source
   of tension. Sadek blames Islamist politicians for inspiring further
   resentment and unrest.

   "Political Islam is not Islam. These are politicians who are using
   religion to reach power. And they are building on that class struggle
   -- division between the village and the city, Bedouin life and modern
   life. And they build on that," he said.
   These different voices have left some Egyptians even more alienated.
   Hassa'an says Egypt is entering a dark stage, with most parties having
   interests that do not reflect public opinion. The working class, he
   says, are the "silent majority."
   At The American University in Cairo, Professor Sadek is challenging his
   students to understand where they fit in Egypt at this historic
   crossroads. "Are you the majority or the minority?" he stated.
   No matter how uncertain these days might be for many Egyptians, experts
   say the results of the elections might make that question a little
   easier to answer.

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